Contact dermatitis in children: 6 years experience (1992-1997)

Area of Science:

• Allergy and Immunology
• Dermatology
• Pediatric Medicine

Background:

• Patch testing is crucial for diagnosing allergic contact dermatitis in children.
• Eczema in children can stem from various environmental exposures.
• Understanding common allergens is key to effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze patch test results in pediatric patients over a 6-year period.
• To identify the most frequent allergens and eczema localizations in children.
• To determine the diagnostic yield of patch testing in pediatric dermatology.

Main Methods:

• Patch testing was performed on 141 children using standard series and specific allergens (metallic mercury, medicaments, cosmetics, plants, shoes).
• Data collected included allergen relevance, eczema location, and suspected causes.
• Diagnostic outcomes were categorized into contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and juvenile plantar dermatitis.

Main Results:

• Nickel, cobalt, mercurials, fragrance, and rubber chemicals were the most frequent allergens.
• Common eczema sites included feet, face, and hands, often linked to jewelry, footwear, and cosmetics.
• Contact dermatitis was the primary diagnosis (45%), followed by atopic dermatitis (25%).

Conclusions:

• Patch testing is valuable in identifying allergens responsible for pediatric eczema.
• Nickel and cobalt are significant allergens in children, necessitating awareness in product formulation.
• Occupational exposures should be considered in adolescents presenting with relevant positive patch tests.